THE QUEST FOR A JUST SOCIETY: The Legacy and Challenge of Buddhadassa Bhikkhu

           Contributed papers on brief life account and teaching of Phra Thēpisutthimēthī (Ngū’am), 1906 – 1993. Buddhist monk and scholar of Thailand.

          One cannot but praise the authors of the various essays in the book under review for their efforts to call attention to the relevance of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s teaching to a true understanding of and the means to cope with and overcome the destabilizing conditions, tensions, and conflicts facing not only Thai body politic but all humanity. Buddhadasa’s teachings as so articulately expounded in this book, presume a radical social and spiritual revolution within society as well as within each individual. Such social and personal change may be difficult to realize or even conceive. However, such difficulty must be seen as our own failure as disciples 33 not that of the teacher, Buddhadasa. Buddhadasa’s vision is grounded in the reality of the Laws of Nature. Our response must be to realize that vision in our everyday thoughts and actions. The volume under review will be a valuable quide in such quest.

CONTENTS

PREFACE

THREE LEGACIES OF BHIKKHU BUDDHADASA

BUDDHADASA’S CONTRIBUTIONS AS A HUMAN BEING, AS A THAI, AS A BUDDHIST

BUDDHADASA’S BITTER POTIONS AS LEGACIES FOR THAI SOCIETY

BUDDHADASA BHIKKHU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD

APPENDIX THE QUEST FOR A JUST SOCIETY